Half to the bouvfi



(No Model.)

J. W. PAGKARD- -METHOD OF MAKILIG 313035. No. 537,227. I Patented Apr. 9, 1895.

FEEL

n: uugms mans co. mom-1.1mm. WQSHINGTON. n. c.

UNITED STATES- JAMES W; PACKARD, OF BROCKTON,

PATENT OFFICE.

MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- HALF TO THE BOUVE, CRAWFORD & COMPANY CORPORATION, OF SAME PLACE.

METHOD OF MAKING SHOES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 537,227, dated April 9, 1 895. Application filed November 11 1893. Serial No.490,62'7- (No model.)

To all whom/it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, JAMES W. PACKARD, of Brockton, in the county of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Methods of Making Boots and Shoes, of which the following is a specification.

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved method of constructing box-toes of boots and shoes which will obviate preliminary molding of the stiffener to the shape of the last, as at present practiced, and cause the said stiffener to conform in all cases to the shape of the last, notwithstanding changes which may take place in the last due to shrinkage or other causes.

To the above ends the invention may be said to consist in an improved method of boxing toes of boots and shoes consisting'in inserting an unmolded stiffener between the upper and tip of the boot or shoe and lasting the said stiffener together with the upper and tip, over the edge of the sole.

The accompanying drawings serve to illustrate the invention.

Figure 1 shows a plan and edge View of the box-former orstiffener employed. Fig. 2 shows a bottom perspective view of a shoe in process of manufacture. Fig. 3 shows a top perspective of the same with tip turned back. Fig. 4t shows a longitudinal section of the shoe in the condition it appears in Figs. 2 and 3. Fig. 5 showsa longitudinal section of the completely lasted shoe.

In carrying out my invention I employ a flat piece a, of any suitable stiffening material cut to the proper shape and its edges skivcd down, and its marginal portions treated in any suitable manner to render them somewhat pliable. The material ofand the exact manner of constructing this stiffener are matters immaterial in the present case, the peculiar characteristic being that it is not molded to box-form previous to application on the last. The shoe-upper b, with its lining 0, having been partialy lasted over the insole d as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4, the stiffener a is inserted between the upper b and the tip e which is stitched to the upper in the usual manner. The upper, tip and interposed stiffener, together with the lining, are

all lasted together over the insole. (See Fig.

5.) This improved process by thus dispensing with a molded box or stiffener reduces the expense of manufacture. Another advantage of the improved process, is that, whereas under the present practice of employing molded boxes variations in lasts resulting from shrinkage or other cause will prevent the molded box from properly conforming to the last. By my process this trouble cannot exist for the stiffener which forms the box is lasted with the upper and tip and must of necessity conform to the last.

My invention is moreover productive of advantage in the completed boot or shoe by increasing the wearers comfort, for whereas at present the molded box is fitted over the lin ing on the last, and hence in the completed shoe the lining alone intervenes between the foot of the wearer and the box or stiffener, and the edge of the latter can be felt by the wearers foot, and when in course of time the stifiener becomes wrinkled, it causes considerable discomfort to the wearer. In my construction the upper intervenes between the foot of the wearer and the stiffener,and no discomfort whateveris experienced by the wearer on account of the presence of the stiffener.

By turning the stiffener over the edge of the sole, its efficiency in holding the shape of the toe is insured.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

That improvement in boxing toes of boots pdshoes which consists in inserting an unmolded blank of leather or like material out of which the box is to be formed, between the toe cap and the toe of t-he'vamp and overlying the edge of the sole and simultaneously lasting the toe cap, vamp and blank over the insole and at the same time forming the box, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, this 3d day of November, A. D. 1893.

JAMES W. PACKARD. 

